Monday, February 11, 2019

With just over 10 days left for the Aero India 2019 to start at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, the number of
aircraft participating in the air show has gone up. The number of aircraft to participate in the show as on
Sunday was 57.
While the aircraft and helicopters belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) top the list, among the foreign participants, France leads the way with eight aircraft expected
to participate in the airshow. They are the Rafales, FALCON 2000S, and helicopters from the Airbus stable.
The US, which in the past editions of the air show has brought in various aircraft and helicopters for display,
stands second with six aircraft confirming their presence so far. The American aircraft have registered in the
name of the US Embassy in India and air assets from Boeing will be on flying and static display during the
airshow which is to be held between February 20 and 24.
Among the US aircraft, which have confirmed their
presence, is F/A-18 Super Hornet. The F/A-18 Super Hornet is among the six aircraft which is competing for
the IAF’s 110 multi-role fighter jet deal.
The IAF is looking to procure 110 multi-role fighter jets and six companies, Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet
aircraft), SAAB Aviation’s (Gripen aircraft), Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin ( F-16 Fighting Falcon
aircraft) Russia’s (MiG-35 aircraft) and Dassault Aviation (Rafale aircraft) also have responded to the RFI.
11/02/19 Bangalore Mirror